Bandi Sanjay faces tough face-off in Karimnagar seat

The impending elections in Karimnagar, Telangana, will witness a tight contest between Bandi Sanjay Kumar of the BJP and Gangula Kamalakar, a prominent minister in the state government. They are vying for the Karimnagar seat in the Telangana Assembly, promising an intense electoral face-off.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the incumbent Member of Parliament from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency, secured his seat in 2019 riding on the BJP’s popularity, particularly due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal. Now, he’s in the running for the Assembly against Gangula Kamalakar, who holds significant portfolios in the state government, focusing on Backward Classes Welfare and Food and Civil Supplies.

Despite Bandi Sanjay’s previous loss to Kamalakar in the 2018 Assembly elections, Sanjay is anticipated to mount a more robust challenge this time, buoyed by his increasing popularity and a growing share of the vote. He has garnered attention for various high-profile incidents, including his arrest linked to a question paper leak and his activism in protesting issues such as teacher transfers and the cancellation of government job exams.

Kamalakar, conversely, is a prominent figure within the Backward Classes community. Having won the Karimnagar seat for three consecutive terms, he is well-regarded for establishing state-run educational centers that aid Backward Classes students in preparing for competitive exams. His support base, especially among youth from Backward Classes, remains strong.

Both candidates have seen an increase in their votes over the years. With the absence of Congress candidate Ponnam Prabhakar, who is contesting elsewhere, the direct contest between Sanjay and Kamalakar is expected to be fiercely competitive. Prabhakar’s absence could make the competition even tighter, as his prior performance garnered a significant number of votes, impacting both BJP and then TRS candidates in the 2018 elections.

Sanjay appears to have gained popularity in the urban areas of Karimnagar, while Kamalakar holds sway primarily in rural areas and specific segments of the constituency.
The constituency comprises seven Assembly segments, with only one segment currently represented by a BJP Member of the Legislative Assembly. Additionally, influential figures like K.T. Rama Rao, the state’s IT minister, are anticipated to support Kamalakar.

The forthcoming election in Karimnagar is poised to be a closely contested battle between Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Gangula Kamalakar, each with their distinct support bases and spheres of influence within the constituency.